Specialization Transport & Supply Chain Management Specialization of the master s programme in Business Administration www.vu.nl/programmes A wider perspective
Analyzing and developing end-to-end solutions in international supply chains and transport networks A wider perspective
A balanced Demand-driven supply chain perspective: management focus on people, Which quantitative and qualitative planet and profit criteria are used in selecting the right supply chain strategy and design? Which partners are needed to carry out this strategy and implement the supply chain design? What does the future hold for these actors? Which control systems should be used in the planning and implementation of planned flows of persons, goods and services? Which criteria and methods should be employed to measure supply chain performance? Here s what made me choose TSCM: it s dynamic, tangible and down-to-earth in the end it s about getting products from A to B and keeping both the economy and society up and running. Rutger Kroon, Master s graduate in TSCM, Data Quality Coordinator with JF Hillebrand Group AG Transport economics and management Which market structures can we use to describe transport sectors? How does this influence price setting for passenger and freight transport? How do we deal with environmental impact? Decision-making in supply chains How do you design, plan and control logistics processes within companies and between companies that work together in the supply chain? Specialization Transport & Supply Chain Management - 3
TSCM: learning The Netherlands is renowned to make throughout the world for its trade-offs in expertise in trade, transport supply chains and logistics. Major ports in the and Netherlands tranship enormous transportation flows of goods and passengers to networks and from Europe and the rest of the world. Supply chain management is the key to controlling these flows. In this Master s specialization, the main focus is on the analysis, design and operation of supply chains in professional service industries. Using a broad definition of Transport & Supply Chain Management, we tackle supply chain problems in profit and non-profit environments. The former includes airlines, retailers, wholesale companies, logistics service providers, rail operators and short-sea and long-distance shipping, while the latter includes the healthcare sector, the public sector and non-governmental organizations in fields such as humanitarian aid. Supply chain management is impossible without advanced information systems. We look at the suitability of supply chain information systems such as warehouse, transport and order management systems. We model the analysis, design and operation of supply chains and discuss and evaluate decision-making tools and methods for supply chain management. Students in the Master s specialization in Transport & Supply Chain Management (TSCM) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at VU University Amsterdam will become thoroughly familiar with the organization of flows of goods and services and related flows of money and information in supply chains and transportation networks. Core aspects include the organization, design, maintenance, usage and optimization of supply chain strategy, processes and cooperation in these networks. We look at supply chains and transportation networks both from a micro and meso perspective (e.g. transport and logistics processes) and at the macro level (e.g. government regulations and the environment). 4 - VU University Amsterdam
Unique, relevant, interdisciplinary Relevant in today s business setting This Master s specialization combines a focus on transport with a focus on supply chain management. It provides students with outstanding opportunities for a challenging and rewarding career in this exciting and varied sector. The programme concentrates on the logistics processes that are specific to the professional services industries, making it a unique Master s programme not only in the Netherlands but also in Europe. Each division has a vital role to play in a company. Where would we be without ICT and finance, for example? But if you are not able to deliver goods or services on time, then it is virtually impossible to operate or even survive in the world of business. Every company needs a firm focus on Transportation & Supply Chain Management. Sharina Estrada, Master s graduate in TSCM, entrepreneur and owner of TryOnline BV Interdisciplinary The Master s programme in Business Administration is offered by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. The Master s specialization in Transport & Supply Chain Management is offered jointly by the departments of Information Systems & Logistics and Spatial Economics. The core courses provide students with in-depth knowledge of Transport and Supply Chain Management. The elective courses give students the opportunity to focus in more detail on the transport sector and/or on the management of supply chains. Specialization Transport & Supply Chain Management - 5
Your programme in a nutshell The TSCM specialization in the Master s programme in Business Administration at VU University Amsterdam is a one-year programme worth 60 ECTS credits. The classes are highly interactive and give students ample opportunity to put theories to the test through discussions about practical assignments and simulation modelling. Case studies form an important component of the coursework and students often work together in teams, for example when analysing real-world supply chains. Company visits provide the opportunity for hands-on operations analysis and the detailed study of supply chains and in-company environments. Period Courses # ECTs 1 Distribution Logistics & Supply Chain 6 Management Transport Economics and Management 6 2 Decision Making in Supply Chains 6 Network Analysis/Geo-Logistics 6 3 Research Seminar (I): Managerial 3 Integration Project Ethics 3 4 Research Seminar (II) & Master Thesis: 3+3 Start Thesis Airline Business/SC Execution/DL & 6 Interorganizational Systems 5 Optional course/capita Selecta TSCM 6 Master Thesis 6 6 Master Thesis 6 The specialization is divided into six periods and is taught entirely in English. The main goal of periods 1-3 is to offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge of relevant topics in Transport & Supply Chain Management. Most courses in the first three periods are therefore compulsory. Period 1 is devoted to theoretical concepts in TSCM. Students will conduct desk research into various supply chains and learn how to make strategic transportation decisions. Period 2 is used to deepen this knowledge by teaching students how to design supply chains by means of quantitative research methods, including simulation. Students also select one of the specialization courses in period 2. The TSCM Research Seminar in period 3 challenges students to tackle problems in real-life supply chains or transportation networks by applying the theoretical knowledge obtained in periods 1 and 2. Students study the problems in small groups and from varying angles, including perspectives such as finance, human resource management, logistics, strategy and so on. Students will conduct work for the companies involved, preparing a management report and presentation on the most efficacious design for their particular supply chain or transportation network. The TSCM Research Seminar (2) in period 4 presents an overview of relevant research methods in the area of transport and supply chain management. Students need to select appropriate research methods to address their specific research questions while writing a research proposal for their Master s thesis. Periods 4 and 5 can be used by students to take another specialization course and select an optional course. In periods 5 and 6 students write their Master s thesis. 6 - VU University Amsterdam
Chain conversion and back-office cooperation are the essentials of demand-driven Supply Chain Management. Distribution can no longer be seen as simply the next stage after production. Consumers and distributors have become the conductors of the supply chain. In the long term, companies can only survive if they compete front-office and cooperate back-office. A job as an international supply chain manager, a supply consultant, a logistics manager A Master s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Transport & Supply Chain Management can prepare you for a career as the supply chain manager of an international organization, where you will be responsible for managing the international flow of goods from suppliers to customers. Alternatively you might enter the world of consultancy as a consultant in the supply chain management practice of a large firm. Some graduates choose an academic career and become PhD researchers in the field of supply chain management. Others may opt for the government sector and enter the domain of policy-making at a national or regional level. Regardless of your eventual career choice, your Master s specialization in Transport & Supply Chain Management will teach you to carefully consider the balance between people, planet and profits. Ad van Goor, Professor of Logistics Specialization Transport & Supply Chain Management - 7
If you would like to know more Please visit www.vu.nl/programmes for: Detailed programme information Admission requirements Information on application and registration Career perspectives Or contact the faculty for more information about the programme: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 (0)20 598 6185 E logistics@feweb.vu.nl I www.feweb.vu.nl/logistics International Student Relations (degree students) Room 2E-70 De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 (0)20 598 5585 E masterprogramme@feweb.vu.nl For general information about VU University Amsterdam Please phone us at +31 (0)20 598 5000 (Monday Friday, 9:00 to 17:00). You may also e-mail us at study@vu.nl. Read more about VU University Amsterdam at www.vu.nl/programmes. No rights may be derived from the contents of this brochure. Publication: Department of Marketing & Communication, VU University Amsterdam. Photo cover: Ceres Paragon Terminals Amsterdam A wider perspective